Police Baker Act woman after vehicle set on fire

A clerk got the gas shut off from the main power source before an explosion could occur.

DAYTONA BEACH -- A West Palm Beach woman was taken into protective custody for a mental health evaluation after police say she set her car on fire Wednesday.

A patrol unit responded to the BP gas station at 971 W. International Speedway Blvd. at 6:54 p.m. concerning a vehicle fire, according to a Daytona Beach police news release.

An investigation found Alexandra Barnes, 29, pumped gas into her vehicle and also on it. She then went into the store, walked behind the counter, grabbed a cigarette lighter and walked out, repeatedly saying, "I got to get out of here," the release said.

A store clerk followed her out and got the lighter back but did not realize she had sprayed gas on her vehicle.

Barnes then got a lighter from her car and set it on fire, the release said. Two dogs were in the vehicle and she yelled "My babies are in the car," the release said. A bystander got the dogs out and gave them to Barnes.

The woman then sat down in the middle of International Speedway Boulevard, saying she was God, the release said.

A clerk got the gas shut off from the main power source before an explosion could occur.